Furious Fubara begins projects reactivation after cancelling N134bn renovation project

… Says traditional rulers are his most reliable vehicles to the rural areas and the masses

Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State has come out smoking, apparently using about two weeks to study the state of his state. He has begun with reactivation of projects that were stalled in the six months of his absence.

This is after he cancelled a N134bn renovation contract where N20bn was handed out as ‘mobilisation fee’ to a foreign contractor without bidding process.

Now, Fubara says he has reactivated most of the stranded projects especially the N195bn Port Harcourt Ring Road, and that the contractors have all returned to site.

He has also said he would rely on the traditional rulers to reach the remotest parts of Rivers State, saying they truly represent the leaders of the grassroots.

Read also: Fubara bares teeth, cancels last minute N134bn renovation job awarded by Sole Administrator

Gov Fubara disclosed these during a meeting held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt on Thursday, October 16, 2025, with traditional rulers ostensibly to acquaint them of the return of governance after the emergency rule in the State.

The governor informed the traditional rulers of the government’s efforts to reactivate stalled projects across the state, assuring them that major works, including the Port Harcourt Ring Road, hospitals, and roads, have resumed.

He emphasized that the interests of Rivers people remained paramount in all government undertakings, adding that the administration was committed to addressing any challenges facing the communities.

“My meeting with you this afternoon is to tell you that we are back. It’s not me, all of us. Government has started again. Our projects, if you are aware, most of the project sites have all reopened. The Ring Road has restarted. The hospitals are mobilized back to sites. The roads, as at today, we’ve had meetings with all the contractors. They’ve all moved back to sites.

“Also, the issues of other developments. I believe that most of them that were truncated, we will revisit them. Because at the end of the day, it has to do with the people. We must make sure that the interests of our people are supreme in whatever we’re doing. If you observe, every sector of the system has been activated.”

He acknowledged the unique position of the traditional rulers as the closest leaders to the people and vital role they play as custodians of culture and grassroots leaders in fostering peace and driving development, and appealed to them to continue to maintain peace within their domains as a way of supporting government initiatives.

Governor Fubara pledged to respect the traditional institutions, describing them as the ancestors and pillars of the state, and assured them of continued engagement and support.

“You cannot control from Port Harcourt, living in Government House, to decide what happens in the most interior place in Kula. You might have a local government chairman; you might have a councillor, but who is the closest, who controls the sub-leaders of the families, communities that make up the big Kingdoms? It is you all here that control them. So, if we have to pray for peace, if we have to yield for development, who should be the people I should always listen to? It is you.

Read also: Return of Fubara: Hope returns to N195bn PH Ring Road project

“You know the problem, you understand the needs of the people. So, we are appealing that we need more peace. You want us to succeed, ensure that you maintain peace in your communities. Ensure that you support the government programmes. On my own part, I will give you the respect that you deserve.”

The governor further announced plans to fulfill pending commitments to the traditional rulers, including the provision of vehicles and other benefits according to their hierarchy, promising that these would be delivered by the end of November.

He also addressed the importance of the quarterly council meetings, urging the Council Chairman to remain apolitical and focused on promoting the collective interests of the State.

In his remarks, Chike Worlu Wodo, the Eze and chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, who is the Eze Oha Apara (IV), Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, reminisced the experience of the state and traditional rulers during the emergency rule, and expressed gratitude to God for the return of the Governor. He thanked him for the maturity and courage exhibited during the trying moment.

In their separate speeches, other monarchs from Ogbaland, the Amanyanabo of Bonny, the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, and the Eze of Omuma Kingdom, noted the organic support Rivers people have for the governor, ascribing his return to God’s answer of the people’s prayers.

They noted that Rivers State is back on its feet, and urged the governor to continue with the developmental projects that he had always put in place, and focus on youth empowerment, job creation and community development.

Saying that these were the surest foundations for enduring peace, the monrachs assured the governor of the traditional institution’s commitment and readiness to continue to support the government’s developmental agenda.

Gov Fubara showed his grit few days ago when he cancelled the N134bn last minute renovation contract awarded by the Sole Administrator to a Chinese company.

The governor also ordered the company to return the N20Bn handed to them to start the job since they were yet to mobilise to site.

The governor promised to advertise the job and other projects for prequalification to select the best bidders. This move has roused all eyes on what must have taken place under the dark carpet during the emergency rule.